Two papers in the April issue of the journal Spine caught my attention. They were both based on large databases and used propensity score matching in the study design.
The paper by Adelstein JM et al.,1 reported that the risk of post-op haematoma was higher in patients who underwent anterior cervical spine surgery and was higher in those who took selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) or serotonin-norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRI).
The paper by Zekieh O et al.,2 reported that the risks of cervical spine surgery for radiculopathy or myelopathy in octogenarians were not significantly (statistically) different compared to non-octogenarian patients; the sample of octogenarian patients was particularly low (n=29).
As the aforementioned studies were based on propensity score matching, in order to confirm the findings, controlled trials are needed. What exact type of studies (study design) might you wish to undertake to confirm the findings of the Adelstein JM et al., and Zakieh O et al? Please post your thoughts on the commentary section. Thank you!
- Adelstein JM, Moyal AJ, Strony JT, Burkhart RJ, Kaelber DC, Cheng CW, Gordon ZL, Furey CG. Serotonergic Antidepressants Are Associated With Higher Rates of Hematoma After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Large Propensity-Matched Cohort Analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2025 Apr 1;50(7):477-484. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000005168. Epub 2024 Oct 1. PMID: 39351901.
- Zakieh O, Jawid MY, Bowers MF, Young MW, Zuckerman SL, Lugo-Pico JG, Gardocki RJ, Abtahi AM, Stephens BF. Should We Operate on Octogenarians With Cervical Myelopathy or Radiculopathy? Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2025 Apr 1;50(7):E122-E127. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000005232. Epub 2024 Dec 2. PMID: 39618175.